Erkan, Hanife, and their children Bengisu & Aybuke Beren live in Izmit-Kocaeli City, Turkey.
I have seen many pictures that Erkan has taken. He has a wide range of subjects, but I particularly like his nature pictures. He seems to enjoy this pastime very much.
Written By Duane Duff, Canada, 2006.

This incredible picture portrays the seaside of those years of Customs Building. Where this building at today’s city map was and what was the fate of this building, I think nobody would remember it. Do you see the boats just at the lips of building? Maybe the connection was made by boats and we can see the sailors in front of building. Izmit, Turkey.

Seaside and a fine stone building. As far as I remember the section has been served as an open movie run by Oguz Family. However I have not any idea what building was that the left side building. Izmit, Turkey.

This building kept its life as National Museum for some time however today it is restorated and used a semi-museum building. It has endured many years by giving service to firstly Sultans of Ottoman Empire as a hunting mansion, later early years, when our great leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk paid a visit to our city as a resting house and later years I have not any recorded information what aims it has been used. It has a great gateway from the western side and it has a nice pan aroma view towards to south, Bay of Izmit behind long cypress & pine trees. Once under these trees were so attractive; however last years those places were the safe refuge place of lovers at daytimes and alcoholics at nighttimes. For this picture I could only add that it gives us another opportunity to observe the area circled the this building. Izmit, Turkey.

Another view from the Demiryolu [Railway] Boulevard. Over the years some of those fine plane trees have been killed by intentionally for the reasons of they are making shadows over the new concrete-iron apartment flats sequenced along the this Boulevard. Izmit, Turkey.

There has been a hospital called "Millet Hastanesi: People's Hospital" at the hills of today’s Devlet Hastanesi [State Hospital]. Here this picture has been taking from the garden of this hospital to show the eastern side of city. Is not it a splendid pan aroma? Izmit, Turkey.

This picture should be taken from the eastern side of Izmit Bay. It shows us today’s Yeni Cuma Mosque and behind the two big side-by-side buildings should be last years burnt down into rubble Turkish Monopoly Buildings with the aim of opening enough space for the new high rise of Metropolitan Municipality Building of Kocaeli. Izmit, Turkey.

Bay of Izmit. I think the area of todays should be not functional intercity boat berth. We have filled some sections of bay with rubbles and ruins in order to reclaim some lands. It is pity but real. We exploit our surroundings with our own hands and nobody knows who real sinners are!, Izmit, Turkey.

This picture, as all Izmiters would recognize, depicts the building that served for many years as preliminary school, “Yeni Turan Ilkokulu”. But for last years, it has lost completely its original shape and attraction. I am sure nobody pays any attention while standing still in front of this old-timer while waiting for their rush hours commuters. Izmit, Turkey.

This building still keeps its life as National Museum. It has endured many years by giving service to firstly Sultans of Ottoman Empire as hunting mansion, later early years, when our great leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk paid a visit to our city as a resting house and later years I have not any recorded information what aims it has been used. It has a great gateway from the western side and it has a nice pan aroma view towards to south, Bay of Izmit behind long cypress & pine trees. Once under these trees were so attractive, however last years those places were the safe refuge place of lovers at daytimes and alcoholics at nighttimes. Izmit, Turkey.

This picture depicts the section today as all Izmiters know the new high rise auto flatted parking lot behind the old Municipality Building. The group posed is cities those times modern fire-fighters mobilized with cab-converted vehicles. Izmit Municipality Firemen Department Mobilized Team in front of new Fire Figthing Cabs, Izmit, Turkey.

This picture depicts the section today as all Izmiters know the new high rise auto flatted parking lot behind the old Municipality Building. The group posed is cities those times modern fire-fighters mobilized with cab-converted vehicles. Izmit Municipality Firemen Department Mobilized Team in front of new Fire Figthing Cabs, Izmit, Turkey.

The Band Team of Izmit Municipality in front of a building, decorated with text “Yasasin Halazkar Gazi: Long Live Savour Ghazi [War Veteran]” meaning Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who is founder of Turkish Republic.

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